NFPA 1142

‘It’s better to be safe 100 times than dead one time.’

– Mark Twain

NFPA 1142

An NFPA study (Fahy, 2002) observed that the death rates for the three major causes of

fatal injuries to firefighters while inside structure fires (lost inside, structural collapse, and fire progress) have been rising.

NFPA 1142

This same study points to a lack of experience as a potential

cause of fireground fatalities from traumatic injury resulting

from rapid fire progress or collapse.

NFPA 1142

Training related fatalities have also been on the increase.

AND

Live fire training has typically been one of the leading types of

training activity resulting in fatalities.

(USFA, 2003)

NFPA 1142 So......

Injuries and fatalities during LF training

and

during fireground operations

are on the increase!

FiregroundOperations

Live FireTraining

FirefighterExperience

NFPA 1142

Live fire training policies are defined by three interrelated

components:

National consensus standards:

NFPA 1403,

OSHA regulations,

Local SOGs or SOPs

NFPA 1142

NFPA 1403, 2007 edition

NFPA 1403 places emphasis on addressing unsafe acts and conditions directly connected

to accidents that have occurred during LF training.

NFPA 1142

NFPA 1403, 2007 editionTraining fire suppression personnel engaged

in firefighting operations under live fire conditions.

Provide a process for conducting live fire training evolutions to ensure that they are

conducted in safe facilities and that the exposure to health and safety hazards for the

firefighters receiving the training is minimized.

NFPA 1142

NFPA 1403, 2007 edition

NFPA 1403 is a compliance standard,

not a

competency standard.

The only competency addressed states... "qualified by the authority

having jurisdiction to deliver firefighter training."

NFPA 1142

Safe and effective live fire training is dependent on

knowledgeable and experienced instructors.

NFPA 1142

Instructors must have expertise in fire behavior and

tactical operations.

They must also understand how to pass this expertise on

to their students.

NFPA 1142

History of NFPA 1403History of NFPA 1403

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Boulder, Colorado Boulder, Colorado 26 Jan 198226 Jan 1982

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• 2 FFs die during search & rescue drills, Lt seriously injured

• Combustible Fiberboard, Tires, Motor Oil thrown into burn pit just to produce smoke

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Mesa, AZMesa, AZ

25 May 198525 May 1985

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Firefighter severely burned while assisting with search & rescue drills using a burn barrel

This is a picture of the FF on the day of the incident, wearing exactly what he had on at the time of the injury

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11stst Edition NFPA 1403 Edition NFPA 1403

19861986

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1987 - Milford, Michigan

NFPA 1142Three FFs perish during an attempt at arson

investigation training.

No accountability and the use of multiple props simultaneously contribute to the fatal incident

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Parsippany, NJ1992

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Young FF is permanently disabled as a result of live fire training inside of a dilapidated school bus. The training took place two miles from a comprehensive training facility. The objective of the training was “to make them feel some heat.”

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22ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd Editions Editions of NFPA 1403of NFPA 1403

1992 - 1992 - 19971997

NFPA 1142Greenwood, DelawareGreenwood, Delaware

20002000

Assistant Chief dies during burn down while using a pressurized garden sprayer in a room with several fires burning.

The use of a SCBA contributed to the fatality, since the chief was not used to wearing one during interior live firetraining.

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Lairdsville, New York

9 Sept. 2001

Rookie FF dies during RIT training

The 19 year old had been on the dept for less than 3 weeks before being placed above the inferno.

The investigation would reveal that the young man’s SCBA was never turned on. The Assistant Chief that started the fire by pushing a couch and mattress against the bottom of the stairwell was criminally convicted of manslaughter.

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-John Klein Lairdsville Fire Company Vice President

“He just joined August 20th. He was only on two controlled burns, and now he’s gone. It’s sad that we have to lose young guys like that.”

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Poinciana, Florida

2002

NFPA 1142 Poinciana

Two firefighters entered as a crew without a hose line to simulate a search and rescue operation looking for a mannequin dressed as a firefighter.

A crew with a hose line was located in the next room by the doorway that led to the fire room.

The deaths were the result of ‘smoke inhalation and thermal injuries suffered during the training exercise.

The addition of the foam mattress to the fire load is one of many variables that could contribute to a flashover, but is not exclusive.

NFPA 1142Poinciana, Fla 2002

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4th Edition of NFPA 1403

20022002

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Miami-Dade 2003Miami-Dade 2003

Recruit Dies during advanced shipboard training drill

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Investigative Findings

• Criminal charges not filed – but not closed.

• 36 specific findings – • This was not a BFST Certified Training

Facility.• Although not approved for gas, a gas-

fueled fire was used in this training.• NFPA 1402 and 1403 were not complied

with. (1403 was required by FAC)

NFPA 1142• No Safety Officer, RIT, EMS stand-by or other

emergency contingencies in place or planned.• Lack of command structure and plans,

including no real Incident Commander.• Not all personnel assigned to these evolutions

had specific training for “live-fire” training or familiarity with the structure.

• The environment was determined to be excessively hot by the Lead Instructor, but the evolution was not terminated.

NFPA 1142

• There were two separate fires within the structure burning simultaneously.

• The exercise was more advanced than for initial recruit training.

• The Instructor-In-Charge failed to identify and correct safety hazards.

• Instructors did not closely monitor trainee movement.

• Instructors did not follow the trainees out to ensure they all reached the outside safely.

• There was not a means of monitoring the temperature of the environment.

NFPA 1142

• The ventilation means available in this incident had been rendered unusable.

• Other, non-organic materials such as polypropylene rope were found in the “fire-box” by investigators.

• When the two instructors at the “fire-box” left, they failed to notify the Incident Commander.

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FindingsFindings

• 9 M-D Fire Rescue personnel disciplined

• M-D Acting Training Chief suspended for 30 days

• Legal actions resulting in settlements over $2 million, with other lawsuits pending

NFPA 1142

Wayne Mitchell

• Married with children

• 37 Yr Old Recruit

• First Live Fire

NFPA 1142

Pennsylvania State Fire Academy 2005

• Located in Borough of Lewistown -Mifflin County, PA

• Facility opened in 1955

* PSFA

•Only facility owned and operated by Commonwealth of PA

NFPA 1142

The Pennsylvania State Fire Academy

• Current class A burn buildings opened in May 1993

• Lined with “High Temperature Lining” (HTL) in 2001

NFPA 1142

• Instructor dies while operating alone inside the basement of a burn building

after incurring a catastrophic failure of his facepiece while inside of the burn room. He was unable to escape the room before collapsing, and a delay with the fire attack crew outside meant that a great deal of time would pass before he was finally discovered.

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BaltimoreBaltimore

20072007Female recruit dies during training in a row house

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NFPA Violations:

• Multiple Fires Set (8)

• Failure to conduct walk-through

• Lack of adequate radio communications

• Insufficient safety personnel

• No pre-burn plan or pre-burn briefing

• Use of unapproved materials; (tires mattresses)

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•Pre-existing condition of structure;no preparation done prior to burn

•Misunderstanding of verbal communications – IC / Instructor

•RIT comprised of recruits;not properly prepared for deployment

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Renowned LP Gas instructor is injured while attempting to fix a leak in his school’s training field

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NFPA 1403, Chapter 7

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The cover of Firehouse.com

Time for some changes…

NFPA 1142

NFPA 1142

NCFRC Exceptions:NCFRC Exceptions:

NC Fire and Rescue Commission adopts NFPA 1403 – Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, 2007 edition.

The following exceptions to the national consensus standard are

listed:

NFPA 1142

Chapter 4, Section 4-3, Fuel Materials, paragraph 4-3.6Chapter 4, Section 4-3, Fuel Materials, paragraph 4-3.6

““The use of flammable or combustible liquids, as defined in The use of flammable or combustible liquids, as defined in NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, shall NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, shall not be permitted for use in live fire training evolutions in not be permitted for use in live fire training evolutions in acquired structuresacquired structures.”.”

The Commission supports the pre-application of The Commission supports the pre-application of smallsmall, , appropriate amounts of Class 'B' fuel on a fire set, if appropriate amounts of Class 'B' fuel on a fire set, if necessary, before the training fire has been started. The necessary, before the training fire has been started. The Commission recognizes that the pre-application of Class 'B' Commission recognizes that the pre-application of Class 'B' fuel, as an option, is a useful tool for the Live Fire Qualified fuel, as an option, is a useful tool for the Live Fire Qualified instructor when conducting live fire training.instructor when conducting live fire training.

NFPA 1142

Chapter 4, Section 4.2, Structures and Facilities, Paragraph Chapter 4, Section 4.2, Structures and Facilities, Paragraph 4.2.11.2 4.2.11.2

““roof ventilation openings that are normally closed but roof ventilation openings that are normally closed but can be opened in the event of an emergency shall be can be opened in the event of an emergency shall be permitted to be utilized.” permitted to be utilized.”

The Commission supports the 1997 edition, Section 2-The Commission supports the 1997 edition, Section 2-2.10*(g) that states “an adequate ventilation opening(s) 2.10*(g) that states “an adequate ventilation opening(s) shall be made in the roof.” This statement has been shall be made in the roof.” This statement has been removed from the 2002/2007 editions. The Commission removed from the 2002/2007 editions. The Commission supports the Live Fire Qualification course and takes supports the Live Fire Qualification course and takes exception to this removal. The Commission requires that exception to this removal. The Commission requires that all Live Burn courses discuss ventilation openings for all Live Burn courses discuss ventilation openings for

increased safety.increased safety.

NFPA 1142

Chapter 5, Section 5-3, Paragraph 1Chapter 5, Section 5-3, Paragraph 1

“…“….multiplied by the construction classification number as .multiplied by the construction classification number as determined by Chapter 4 and multiplied by 1.5”determined by Chapter 4 and multiplied by 1.5”

The Commission requires the Live Fire The Commission requires the Live Fire Qualification course to teach a Qualification course to teach a multiplication factor of .5 added to the multiplication factor of .5 added to the initial exposure factor for every additional initial exposure factor for every additional exposure identified in the pre-fire plan.exposure identified in the pre-fire plan.

NFPA 1142

Three Other NCFRC Policies:Three Other NCFRC Policies:

Mandatory re-qualification for LFQ instructors every five year NFPA 1403

revision cycle

Injury Investigations

Live Fire Training Audits: Acquired Structures

NFPA 1142

Mandatory Re-qualification Mandatory Re-qualification Every Five YearsEvery Five Years(NFPA 1403 Revision Cycle)(NFPA 1403 Revision Cycle)

The Certification Board recommends the The Certification Board recommends the Commission adopt a mandatory re-Commission adopt a mandatory re-

qualification class for all LFQ instructors to qualification class for all LFQ instructors to be taken every 5 years, as the NFPA 1403 be taken every 5 years, as the NFPA 1403

standard is revised.standard is revised.

NFPA 1142

Injury InvestigationsInjury Investigations

The Delivery Agency shall notify the The Delivery Agency shall notify the Fire and Rescue Commission, as soon Fire and Rescue Commission, as soon as possible, within 72 hours, of an as possible, within 72 hours, of an injury associated with Live Fire injury associated with Live Fire Training. Training.

NFPA 1142

Live Fire Training AuditsLive Fire Training Audits

The Delivery Agency shall notify the Fire and Rescue Commission staff at least 15 days prior to a live fire training class, providing the location, time, and the name of the lead instructor for the purpose of random audits.

www.ncdoi.com/osfm

-Fire Training Notification Form

NFPA 1142

Print the Registration Receipt!

NFPA 1142

Kevin McArthurKevin McArthur

(919) 609-4794(919) 609-4794

kevin.mcarthur@ncdoi.govkevin.mcarthur@ncdoi.gov

Questions or for Questions or for scheduling a qualification scheduling a qualification or refresher class contact:or refresher class contact:

Questions or for Questions or for scheduling a qualification scheduling a qualification or refresher class contact:or refresher class contact: